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City cab drivers put their Monet where their mouth is to get clued up on culture

Published on March 24th 2010.

Who needs satnav when you've got Salvador Dali? Or an afternoon sitting on the rank when you could be pontificating on the pre-Raphaelite world?

All taxi drivers love to talk, and now National Museums Liverpool has given them something to gas about - a series of “Cultural Cabbie” sessions for drivers to get clued-up on the arts.

Drivers are being encouraged to take tours of Liverpool museums and art galleries in a bid to improve their cultural credentials in a move designed to help them provide expert advice to tourists and visitors.

Claire Rider, who is behind the idea, said: “We were approached by cabbies who wanted to learn more about the city's brilliant cultural hotspots so they could pass on this knowledge to passengers.” Passing on tips in other words.

Initially drivers will visit the Walker Art Gallery to learn about the venue's most famous paintings. Tours are then planned for all National Museums Liverpool attractions including the Merseyside Maritime Museum and World Museum.

“We want as many as possible to get in touch and become Cultural Cabbies,” Claire added.

Just to test what they actually know already - and that's bound to be more than you, us or anyone else on the planet - a pub quiz to find the number one know-all, the Cultural Cabbie 2010 will take place on 29 March at The Crown Pub, Lime Street. If you think that's you, places can be booked through Claire.rider@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or on 0151 709 4616.

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